June 7, 2009

It is a pleasure to have the chance to see all of you and it was particular pleasure to have the chance to meet with President Mubarak. We had a very constructive meeting discussing the importance the United States attaches to our relationship with Egypt. It also gave me a chance to express once again our appreciation for the hospitality that Egypt provided for President Obama on his recent visit.

We look forward to strengthening the relationship between Egyptians and Americans and we look forward to working together on a wide range of issues in this region, in particular the issue of making progress toward peace between Palestinians and Israelis, and more widely between Arabs and Israelis, the opportunity to work together and support for a stable Iraq, the opportunity to work together in support of stability in Sudan and in many, many other parts of the world.

So, again, this is a very significant relationship for the United States. It is one that we hope to build on further, and I will also be pleased later today to begin a session of a new strategic dialogue between the United States and Egypt where we can talk in more detail about all of these issues.

It is always a pleasure to be in Cairo and I want to thank you once again for the chance to speak to you this morning. Thank you very much.